Disabled man conquers Channel ( 2003-08-26 09:24) (China Daily)
For the first time in two
weeks, 66-year-old Liu Guizhi in Dalian, Liaoning Province, had the heavy worry
lifted from her heart yesterday afternoon, when she finally heard the phone ring
and her second son, Xie Yanhong, himself call her to reassure her that he was
fine.
Xie
Yanhong
Xie successfully swam across the English
Channel over the weekend from Dover, in England, to Calais, in France. He is the
first disabled person in the world to have swum across the channel, a total
distance of 32 kilometres, and will now be on the tongue of every sports
enthusiast in China.
"I learned from the local disabled persons' federation on Sunday afternoon
that he had succeeded. And I know the first thing he said on getting out of
water was that he hoped I was proud of him. But hearing his voice was another
thing," the retired doctor said in a voice a little choked with excitement.
Xie flew to Dover on August 11. Except for a call right after his arrival, he
was out of contact with his family. He even refused to receive calls from them
because, in the words of one of the persons accompanying him, he did not want to
be distracted.
If it had not been for the generous support of the Dalian municipal
government, the swim, which cost over 200,000 yuan (US$24,154), would have been
beyond the reach of an ordinary Chinese disabled person.
Suffering from a severe congenital malformation of his legs, Xie can only
walk slowly with the help of crutches. But things are completely different for
him in water, where he enjoys a much greater freedom.
"I do not know when or how he learned to swim. It must have been behind my
back, because I forbade him to swim, because of the danger," Liu said.
But she eventually relented, when she saw that swimming was the only thing in
his life that kept him from being depressed, after being rejected by colleges
because of his physical defect.
"We have tried to find him a job or help him start a small business, but
nothing appeals to him except swimming," said Liu. She could not remember
exactly when she began to spend all of her income to support his swimming
training and the cost of travelling to competitions. What she does recall is her
tears and the dedication of her son.
Liu said she never imagined that the son who brought her the most worry would
become her greatest pride.
